Naimah Khalid, once a low-profile figure as the wife of Malaysian ex-finance minister Daim Zainuddin, has taken on a more vocal role as a critic amid a corruption crackdown led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Her family, once untouchable, now finds itself entangled in the anti-corruption efforts.
Daim, a multimillionaire and ally of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was brought back into the spotlight in January when he and Naimah were charged for not declaring their assets. This came after their skyscraper near Malaysia’s Petronas Towers was seized by authorities.
As Daim’s health declines, Naimah has emerged as a staunch defender of their actions. Her sudden prominence mirrors that of Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Anwar’s wife, who became active in politics during her husband’s incarceration under Mahathir’s rule. Naimah has also drawn comparisons to Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who faces separate corruption charges.